Teledyne LeCroy WaveExpert series Automation Manual - Manual (Page 14)

A
BOUT
A
UTOMATION
OVERVIEW OF AUTOMATION
In addition to supporting the familiar ASCII-based remote commands that have been used to control all LeCroy
DSOs for many years, all of the Windows-based “X-Stream” instruments fully support control by Automation
interfaces based on Microsoft’s Component Object Model (COM). Using COM, the controlling application can run
directly on the instrument without requiring an external controller; or, alternatively, it can run using Microsoft’s
distributed COM standard (DCOM) on a networked computer.
Standards
Automation (formerly referred to as “OLE Automation”) is a Microsoft technology that is primarily used to enable
cross-application macro programming. It is based upon the Component Object Model (COM), which is similar in
nature to CORBA, which is more commonly found in the UNIX world.
An application that “exposes Automation Objects” is referred to as an “Automation Server.” Automation Objects
expose “Automation Interfaces” to the controlling “Automation Client.” The oscilloscope application on LeCroy
Windows-based oscilloscopes is an Automation Server, and can be controlled by Automation Clients. This manual
describes the Automation objects and interfaces exposed by the oscilloscope application in detail.
It is important to note that Automation itself is not language dependent; it can be used from any programming
language that supports COM. This manual, however, concentrates mainly on the use of Automation from the
Visual Basic Script (VBScript) language for several reasons, including the fact that it is one of the easiest to use.
Also, it is the language that X-Stream instruments use for setup files (more on this later). In addition, the VBScript
interpreter is installed by default on all X-Stream instruments and, therefore, is available without your having to
purchase any additional software.
Compatibility with Other LeCroy Scopes
Throughout LeCroy's history, we have striven to maximize compatibility, and this policy remains in force. However,
due to the fact that the underlying technologies used by Automation require the 32-bit Windows operating system,
and that this system is available only on our X-Stream instruments, Automation is not available on the older
LeCroy oscilloscope families.
Automation and IEEE 488.2 Remote Control – How Do They Compare ?
Automation does not replace the IEEE 488.2-based remote command set, which is also supported by X-Stream
instruments (and will continue to be). Instead, it augments it and allows a new class of application to be created
that can run on the DSO itself.
Automation, however, can be considered as the “Native Language,” or “Mother Tongue” of X-Stream instruments.
All of the instrument’s controls and features are available to the Automation Client.
Automation controls generally are more granular than 488.2 remote commands. That is, many 488.2 remote
commands set more than one control at the same time; whereas, via Automation, this is not the case.
1-2 916435 RevA